2.3 Common Hazards in Neighbourhoods Flashcards
Hazards
- refers to a process, phenomenon, or human activity that may cause loss of life, other health impacts, property damage, as well as social and economic consequences.
- Can be classified as natural or man-made.
- examples of natural hazards: earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
- examples of man-made hazards: traffic hazards
Fire Hazards & Impacts
- May occur in both residential and non-residential areas.
- Common causes: unattended cooking & faulty electrical appliances and wiring which can ignite nearby flammable materials, resulting in fire.
Example:
- In 2021, there were a total of 358 cases of fires due to unattended cooking in Singapore.
- Also been an increase in fire cases involving PMDs, typically in residential areas.
- The impacts of fire hazards include:
1. Health impacts
2. Property damage
Health impacts of fires
- People may suffer from burn injuries if unable to evacuate in time, and severe burn injuries may lead to disabilities or deaths
- Total of three fire fatalities and almost 200 fire injuries in Singapore in 2021.
- High levels of CO & CO2 may be released and may cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Cause headache, dizziness, weakness and confusion, and even leading to loss of consciousness and death.
- Makes it more difficult for people to escape a fire.
- Other irritants from a fire, such as acid gases, can permanently damage a person’s respiratory system.
- Smoke inhalation can cause breathing difficulties and suffocation, which may lead to death.
Property damages due to fires
- can destroy commercial or residential properties which leads to economic losses as goods, furniture, and important documents may be destroyed.
- further costs may also be incurred after the fire is over as money is required to repair and rebuild the properties that were damaged in fire.
Air Pollution Hazards & Impacts
- Occurs due to the presence of contaminant or pollutant substances in the air that do not disperse properly and hence interfere with human health, welfare or produce other harmful environmental
effects. - Common causes:
1. Burning vegetation: CO2 and other pollutants are released into the atmosphere when vegetation burns, causing air pollution.
Example: - In first half of 2019, Singapore had 555 vegetation fires, a 56% increase in vegetation fires from 2018 due to drier and hotter weather
- resulted in a slight deterioration in air quality
- Industrial and motor emissions: increase in car ownership and usage led to an increase in air pollution hazards.
- Vehicles produce significant amounts of exhaust emissions such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and other pollutants.
Health Impacts of air pollution
- Negative health impacts: respiratory infections, heart diseases and lung cancer.
- Nitrogen dioxide is emitted in areas of high vehicle traffic.
- PM2.5, also known as particulate matter such as soot, smoke, dust and liquid droplets measuring less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, may be produced in urban neighbourhoods.
- These pollutants may lead to poor health.
- High levels of exposure to nitrogen dioxide may lead to higher risks of asthma in children.
- It may also cause lung function decline in older adults as PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream and lodge deep in human lungs.
Traffic Hazards and Impacts
- Common causes: Speeding, red-light running & drink-driving
- These accidents are often caused by irresponsible drivers who put other road users and themselves at risk.
- In 2021, there were a total of 969 speeding-related traffic accidents, and 153 accidents that were caused by drink-driving.
Health Impacts
- People may suffer serious injuries when involved in a traffic accident, which may lead to disabilities or loss of life.
- In 2021, there were a total of 100 traffic accidents in Singapore that resulted in fatalities. 8 were caused by drink-driving.
- Elderly pedestrians and motorcyclists typically account for a high percentage of traffic accidents resulting in injuries or death.
